Six young adults were killed in a fiery car crash near the US Embassy in Lisbon, Portugal, early Sunday morning, according to local authorities.
The deadly incident occurred around 3:31 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, on Avenida das Forças Armadas, next to the diplomatic compound in the Sete-Rios area of Lisbon. The victims, three women and three men aged between 18 and 20, died after their BMW 520 struck a curb, lost control, and erupted in flames.
Police Commissioner Dinarte Diniz confirmed at the scene that the car hit the curb on the avenue adjacent to the embassy before the fatal collision occurred. According to local reports, the 19-year-old driver became distracted at the wheel moments before the crash. A police officer assigned to the US Embassy witnessed the crash and immediately contacted emergency services.
By the time authorities arrived, the vehicle was completely engulfed in flames. “The vehicle was completely burned, and it is unclear if seatbelts were used, but given the number of occupants, at least one may not have been wearing one,” Diniz said, noting the car was a five-seater vehicle.
The overcrowded BMW presented significant safety concerns, as six people were traveling in a vehicle designed for only five occupants. This suggests at least one passenger was not properly secured with a seatbelt at the time of the crash, which likely contributed to the severity of injuries sustained in the collision.
The car smashed into a barrier after losing control, triggering the fire that consumed the vehicle within seconds. Emergency responders were unable to save any of the victims due to the intense fire. The bodies were subsequently transported to the Institute of Legal Medicine for proper identification and examination. Authorities indicated the victims had known each other, though their identities were not immediately released to the public.
The victims were later confirmed to be from Angola. Maria de Jesus Ferreira, the Angolan ambassador to Portugal, issued a tribute to the young group, describing them as having “a bright future ahead of them.” The ambassador expressed condolences to the bereaved families during what she characterized as a moment of immense grief.
Vehicle fires following accidents present particular dangers to occupants, as flames can spread rapidly through modern cars containing synthetic materials and flammable fluids. The speed at which the BMW burned suggests the impact may have ruptured fuel lines or damaged the fuel tank, creating an immediate fire hazard that left little time for escape or rescue.
The location of the crash, near a major diplomatic facility in Lisbon’s urban core, meant emergency services were positioned relatively close to the scene. However, the rapid progression of the fire meant responders had no opportunity to intervene before all six occupants perished.
Avenida das Forças Armadas, which translates to Armed Forces Avenue in English, remained closed for several hours as authorities conducted their investigation and cleared the wreckage. The roadway was reopened by 11 a.m. the same day, allowing traffic to resume through the area.
Portuguese authorities continue to investigate the exact circumstances that led to the BMW losing control. The fact that the vehicle hit a curb before the fatal crash suggests the driver may have drifted from the proper lane of travel, though investigators have not released their final determination of the cause.
The proximity to the US Embassy meant diplomatic security personnel were among the first to witness the aftermath of the crash. Embassy staff provided initial reports to Portuguese emergency services, facilitating a rapid response despite the ultimately fatal outcome for all six occupants.
As the investigation continues, Portuguese authorities will likely examine factors including vehicle speed, road conditions, and whether any mechanical issues contributed to the loss of control. The results of the forensic examination at the Institute of Legal Medicine may provide additional insights into the sequence of events that led to this fatal crash.
